Interfaith Harmony Research Articles

Paradigma Moderasi Beragama: Revitalisasi Fungsi Pendidikan Islam dalam Konteks Multikultural Perspektif Pemikiran Imam al-Ghazali

This research aims to explore the thoughts of Imam al-Ghazali as the foundation of the religious moderation paradigm in Islamic education and examine its relevance in the context of a multicultural society. Imam al-Ghazali is one of the prominent Islamic scholars who advocated views that support religious moderation, tolerance, and interfaith harmony. This study employs the library research method to analyze and summarize Imam al-Ghazali's thoughts and understand how these views can be applied in the context of multicultural Islamic education. The research findings demonstrate that Imam al-Ghazali's thoughts reflect a strong paradigm of religious moderation. He emphasized the importance of a balanced understanding of religion, as well as values such as tolerance, compassion, and peace in Islam. These concepts have significant relevance in the context of a multicultural society, where religious and cultural differences are an unavoidable reality. Islamic education based on Imam al-Ghazali's thoughts can play a crucial role in promoting better interfaith understanding, reducing conflicts, and building harmonious relationships in a multicultural society. Therefore, this research underscores the importance of revitalizing the paradigm of religious moderation in Islamic education and integrating it into the Islamic education curriculum. The implications of this research highlight the need for genuine efforts in developing Islamic education that focuses on the values of religious moderation as a path towards a more inclusive, tolerant, and peaceful society in the era of multiculturalism.

RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE: EXPLORATION IN THE LIGHT OF ANTHROPOLOGY OF RELIGION

Religion is a major cultural element that holds an integral role in societies formation and organization. But differences in religious ideologies and beliefs, results in societal conflicts. Study aims at highlighting the arguments that arise due to religious differences amongst individuals of a community and is focused on the role of religious anthropologists to highlight the consequences of the increasing religious issues and to propose solutions through cultural relativism and cross-cultural approaches. Studying various religious rites and practices fosters cross-cultural communication and interfaith understanding, resulting in the enhancement of research in the field of the anthropology of religion and correction of misconceptions at different levels. A multireligious community with a majority Muslim population and minorities of Christianity and Sikhism at 6th Road, Rawalpindi for primary data collection with unstructured in-depth interviews with an interview guide as a qualitative mode has been observed. The explanatory research methodology was applied to examine how or why interfaith harmony occurs or not. Also, the findings indicated that Emile Durkheim’s approach to a house of worship, where the community served as a place to practice different religions, brings people together and establishes bilateral relations. Keywords: Interfaith Harmony, Cultural Relativism approach, Cross Cultural Study, Inter Religious Dialogue, Community Development, coexistence

The 2024 Presidential Election: Contestation of Religious Ideology in Electoral Politics

This descriptive research examines the impact of using religious ideology in electoral politics on interfaith harmony and tolerance in Indonesia, focusing on the 2024 presidential election. This research aims to investigate how political candidates use social media to mobilize religious ideology and its effect on public opinion and electoral outcomes. Secondary data were collected through a comprehensive literature review, analyzing recent elections, content analysis of social media posts, patterns in social media engagement, the effectiveness of existing interfaith dialogue initiatives, and the role of misinformation, hate speech, and hoaxes related to religious ideology in electoral politics. The study found that the use of religious ideology in electoral politics has the potential to negatively impact harmony and tolerance among religious communities in Indonesia. Social media plays a crucial role in the mobilization of religious ideology by political candidates. The combination of religious ideology and social media usage may exacerbate existing interfaith tensions and further polarize the political landscape in Indonesia. The research concludes by recommending that citizens need to have a moderate understanding of religion, understand digital literacy, and always be wise in using social media with a filtering culture before sharing.
 Keywords: electoral politics, Indonesia, interfaith harmony, religious ideology, social media

Heritage tourism and peace interdependency: news content analysis on the destruction and the rebuilding drives of Jahanabad Buddha Statue, Swat, Pakistan

PurposeThis paper aims to discern the potential dimensions amid the duality of heritage tourism and peace. Reflecting on the phases of destruction and rebuilding of Seated Buddha of Jahanabad, this study used the content analysis of 40 news sources, to unravel the resultant avenues of heritage tourism and peace.Design/methodology/approachFollowing the qualitative research strategy, the interface of NVivo 12 has been used to transcribe the textual and visual content of media news. The media news aired on the incident of destruction phase in 2007, and rebuilding drive in 2012–2016 were the two sets of collected data. A hierarchy of thematic analysis was adopted to identify nodes, subthemes and themes.FindingsFindings of this study highlighted six themes: peaceful imagery, PI; heritage dissonance, HD, vs interfaith harmony, IH; peace allegory through restoration, PAR; precursor of heritage sustainability, PHS; community heritage consonance, CHC; and heritage touristic valuation, HTV.Research limitations/implicationsThis study lacks statistical data of the quantitative research domain. Aimed at a single heritage site, it analyzed limited number of news sources.Practical implicationsThis study offers implications for industrial, theoretical, managerial and governmental stakeholders in their respective domains. Moreover, it also provides takeouts for common readers.Originality/valueThis study contends a significant research issue and analyzes the destruction and rebuilding of a heritage site in a developing country. Primarily in the sociogeographic context of the research issue, the resultant dimensions are novel and demanding.

Sikh and CaoDai Understandings of Interfaith Harmony: Promoting a Culture of Peace and Understanding

Sikh and CaoDai Understandings of Interfaith Harmony: Promoting a Culture of Peace and Understanding

Muslim-Hindu Cooperation in Addressing Social Problems in the Tengger Tribe in East Java, Indonesia

This research aims to describe the cooperation between Muslim and Hindu communities in handling social problems in the Tengger Tribe, Mount Bromo area, East Java. Religious diversity among the Tengger people provides challenges and opportunities for solving complex social problems. Using symbolic interaction theory and descriptive-qualitative research methods, this study reveals several social problems, including interfaith marriages, lack of access to education, challenges in maintaining identity and tradition, and population administration issues. Interfaith marriage is considered normal in Tengger society, which is not in line with Islamic teachings. Lack of access to education after junior high school is a barrier for the community. Population administration issues, such as birth registration and identity documents, also affect the Tengger community. This research found that there is strong cooperation between the Muslim and Hindu communities in addressing social problems. The contribution of this research is to provide an understanding of the importance of religion, culture, tolerance, and interfaith harmony in strengthening cooperation in solving social problems. The implication of this research is the importance of improving access to education, maintaining identity and tradition, and improving population administration to build a more harmonious and inclusive society in Indonesia

An Islamic Cum Hindu Approach to Inter-Religious Dialogue

This research looks at the notion of inter-religious conversation and how it relates to Islam and Hinduism. It works with the Qur'an and Sunnah on textual study and historical interpretation. The treatment of non-Muslims by early Muslim rulers, particularly the second caliph of Islam, "Umar," is examined in order to better understand the nature of interfaith discourse in Islam. There's overwhelming evidence that Islam and Hinduism play a distinctive role in the world. In encouraging interfaith discourse by ensuring justice, equal rights and religious freedom for people of all faiths, cultures, and civilizations. The study continues by emphasizing that Islam and Hinduism are complete religions that promote peaceful interreligious cooperation. It may be used as a model for resolving interfaith problems and fostering interfaith harmony and peaceful coexistence in the future.

Religious Harmony Forum (FKUB): Developing religious harmony awareness village in Pesawaran District

The purpose of this community service is to foster harmony by forming a 'Religious Harmony Awareness Village'. The method used in this program refers to the Joint Ministerial Regulations Number 8 and 9 of 2006, namely (1) providing social assistance and socializing worship regulations; (2) forming a forum for communication of interfaith leaders; (3) socialization and understanding and implementation of PBM and harmony among interfaith communities; (4) certify waqf land and land for interfaith houses of worship; (5) implementing interfaith harmony and mutual cooperation through the house renovation program, and (6) facilitating the issuance of permits to construct houses of worship. The results of this program include an increase in indicators of inter-religious harmony such as tolerance, mutual respect, and kinship in community life in Poncokresno Village. Apart from that, a mosque was also built, 4 houses were renovated, and a building construction certificate (IMB) was issued for the church.

ФОРМИРОВАНИЕ МЕЖНАЦИОНАЛЬНОГО И МЕЖКОНФЕССИОНАЛЬНОГО СОГЛАСИЯ В МОЛОДЕЖНОЙ СРЕДЕ В РАМКАХ ВНЕАУДИТОРНОЙ РАБОТЫ СО СТУДЕНТАМИ РОССИЙСКИХ ВУЗОВ

The article presents the results of an analysis of the activities of 201 Russian universities based on a survey in the information and analytical system “Monitoring” of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science regarding the strategic objectives of the country’s national and youth policy: harmonization of interethnic (interethnic) relations, prevention of extremism and preventionof conflicts on national and religious grounds, increasing the level of interethnic (interethnic) and interfaith harmony among young people. It has been revealed that in the vast majority of universities, work aimed at harmonizing interethnic relations among students, as well as improving the quality of their adaptation processes to new living and learning conditions, is underway. In 64.7% of the universities surveyed there is an International Friendship Club (IFC) or a community with a diff erent name, positioning itself in its activities as an IFC. The main attention in the activities of the IFC is paid to students who arrived from other countries and, therefore, to building an interethnic dialogue at an international level. The problems of interethnic relations among students that represent the native peoples of Russia are addressed much less frequently. The theme of interfaith interaction is practically relevant. The activities carried out are focused mainly on the tasks of ensuring cross-cultural communications, as well as assistance to foreign students. It is concluded that universities have strong support for working on the harmonization of interethnic relations already, while in the context of an aggravated geopolitical situation, student organizations need to increase attention to the task of increasing the level of harmony among native peoples of Russia and strengthening the unity of the Russian nation.

Формы религиозности студентов-мусульман Татарстана (по результатам опроса и интервью)

The article is devoted to the forms of religiosity of Muslim students of higher educational institutions of Tatarstan. The topic is relevant for the republic since in such a multi-confessional region as Tatarstan the religiosity of the population is important in achieving interfaith harmony and peace. The author adheres to a multidimensional approach to the study of religiosity, which in the most generalized form represents religiosity as a complex heterogeneous phenomenon comprising different definitive elements. In 2022, a survey and interviews were conducted among Muslim students in secular and religious higher educational institutions of Tatarstan. The study revealed the most common forms of religiosity among Muslim students of Tatarstan. A significant part of the respondents believe in Allah and feel the influence of God in their lives, turn to Him in different life situations. However, not all informants perform ritual duties (saying prayers, fasting, etc.). The daily life of the students interviewed is not always built according to Islamic norms and may include building family relationships, choosing a job, and buying a home. The study showed that the answers of students of secular and religious educational institutions vary greatly on some questions. For example, religious activity (participation in religious events) is demonstrated in various degrees only by the students of religious institutions. Among the students surveyed, there also are superstitious people who believe in omens, signs, horoscopes, etc.

MANAJEMEN PARIWISATA RELIGI BERBASIS MODERASI BERAGAMA DI ISLAMIC CENTER MATARAM

This article discusses religious tourism at the Hubbul Wathan Mataram Islamic Center Mosque. As one of the largest centers for Islamic studies and civilization in Lombok, NTB, this mosque has never been absent from holding various religious and cultural activities, both regional and international, so that it is visited by many local and international tourists. One of the new programs being carried out is religious tourism based on religious moderation. This program aims to promote moderate religious concepts and interfaith harmony. From this background, this article will focus on discussing the issue of implementing religious tourism management functions based on religious moderation. Several important issues that will be answered in this article are, first, what is the religious moderation-based tourism program like? Second, how is the management of religious moderation-based tourism at the Hubbul Wathan Islamic Center mosque?. This article is the result of field research using a qualitative approach. While important data were obtained through field observations, in depth and structured interviews with administrators, and strengthened by documentation activities. This research shows that the management of religious moderation in the religious tourism program at the Islamic Center is packed with the provision of various facilities that can be used by everyone from different faith backgrounds, such as the use of a Ballroom, and the Islamic Center's masdi courtyard.

Revitalizing the Cultural Heritage: Assessing the Historical Significance and Conservation Potential of Hindu Sites in Punjab, Pakistan

The cultural heritage of Hindu sites in Punjab, Pakistan, represents a tapestry of ancient civilizations, architectural brilliance, and religious significance. The region is home to a diverse array of ancient Hindu sites that hold immense value as religious centers and markers of South Asia's rich cultural past. Understanding the historical context of these sites is essential to formulate effective conservation strategies. This study aims to assess the historical importance and conservation potential of these sites to provide insights into preserving their rich cultural legacy. To achieve the objectives, qualitative secondary data analysis was employed. It includes an extensive literature review of historical sources, archaeological records, and scholarly works on the cultural heritage of Hindu sites in Punjab. Through a thematic literature review, the results of the study highlight the cultural syncretism and pluralism evident in the architectural features and artistic expressions found at these sites. However, it also reveals significant challenges, such as inadequate funding, urbanization, lack of public awareness, and environmental threats, contributing to their deterioration and neglect. The revitalization of the cultural heritage of Hindu sites in Punjab is of paramount importance to preserve the region's rich history and promote interfaith harmony and cultural diversity. The study recommends collaborative efforts involving various stakeholders to allocate sufficient funding, raise public awareness, and implement sustainable conservation measures. By celebrating the diverse cultural heritage of Punjab through these historical treasures, the region can foster a sense of pride, identity, and unity among its communities.

PHILOSOPHY OF DAWAH IN ISLAM: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF MAULANA WAHEED U DIN AND JAVED AHMED GHAMIDI’S THOUGHTS

This research paper describes the comparative analysis of two different schools of thought of Maulana Waheed ud din Khan and Javed Ahmed Ghamidi. Both are contemporary renowned scholars. Their period of life and the present is famous for fanaticism, extremism, Jehad (Qitaal), and old Islamic traditional and conventional thoughts in the Muslim world. An all-around decline of rationalism in our Islamic religious thoughts is visible which has so-far unpleasant consequences nationally and globally being an ummah. In such a suffering state of affairs, both scholars appeared as reconstructionists, progressives, and reformists in religious thoughts. Over decades of detailed research on the Quran and Hadith, both Scholars widely wrote on different socio-political and moral issues addressed by Islam in the present life affairs and hereafter. Many books and articles are written giving a counter-narrative against the old rigid conventional narrative of Islamic thoughts and also opening the way for further constructive debate. Both focused on moderation, progress, and justice for the purpose to oust society from the quagmire of social vices. They adopted a rational approach rather than a traditional methodology to have a true understanding of causes and remedies for religious social pathologies. In this line, they imparted the concept of the development of humanism, morality, and interfaith harmony.

Analisis Pemahaman dan Implementasi Nilai-nilai Multikulturalisme dalam Hadis Sebagai Landasan untuk Membangun Harmoni Sosial di Era Globalisasi

In the era of globalization, where changes and complexities occur within societies, the multicultural values found within the hadiths become increasingly important in fostering social harmony and maintaining religious tolerance among different communities. Therefore, the understanding and implementation of these multicultural values within the hadiths need to be continuously enhanced and disseminated to the entire society. This study aims to analyze the comprehension and implementation of multicultural values within the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), serving as a foundation for building social harmony in the era of globalization. The research method employed is a descriptive-analytical approach. Primary data were collected from hadith collections that pertain to multiculturalism, while secondary data were obtained from relevant journals and books on the discussed theme. The results of this study reveal that the analyzed multicultural values encompass three aspects: the equality of all humans, tolerance, and fair treatment within the framework of human rights. Furthermore, efforts are being made to enhance the comprehension and implementation of these multicultural values, including: 1)Religious education and understanding, achieved through integrating multicultural values into ethics and interpersonal interactions curriculum. 2) Interfaith dialogue, facilitated through grassroots initiatives such as the Interfaith Harmony Forum (FKUB). 3) Dissemination of positive information, accomplished through character education and ethical training. 4) Cross-cultural understanding. These endeavors collectively contribute to fostering a harmonious and inclusive society amidst the challenges and complexities brought about by globalization.

“Revolutionary Youth” in Egypt: Interfaith Relations Since the 2011 Revolution

Due to their important role as the “revolutionary youth” ( shabāb al-thawra) in the 2011 Egyptian revolution (known in part as the Arab Spring), they have attracted considerable attention from scholars. In the post-revolution era, discourse on the revolutionary youth has become prominent in Egypt. Compared to the social exclusion of the youth before 2011, it is noteworthy that the revolutionary youth emerged as the main focus of the interfaith relations between Muslims and Coptic Christians. Based on field research data, this article argues that since 2011, the “revolutionary youth” has become a new driving force of the solidarity movement among different sections of society, particularly interfaith harmony. By and large, the interfaith movement can be seen as an activist movement to maintain one’s ongoing revolutionary spirit by living differently. As a part of the global generation, Egyptian youth have been transformed by the revolution experience within the context of their historical–social location.

Suppression of manifestations of violent ethno-religious extremism: expert assessments

Growing social tension increases the danger of ethno-religious extremism, that negatively affects the views and value orientations of various groups of the Russian population, worsens the social well-being of society, provokes an increase in protest potential, and threatens Russia's national security. The article deals with the problems of the effectiveness of the measures of state and public structures in the suppression of ethno-extremist actions and analyses the practice of using voluntary public formations for these purposes. A two-stage survey conducted by the author of the article using the methods of questionnaire and in-depth interviews of 20 experts who are highly qualified specialists in the field of countering ethno-extremism, the results of sociological studies of the FCTAS RAS and VCIOM, the conclusions of the IBHR report, as well as the analysis of scientific papers and media publications on the topic of the study showed that the most effective (expert rating "5" on a five-point scale) are the preventive actions of the FSB and the NAC (National Anti-terrorism Committee). The National Guard and the police received a fairly high assessment of the effectiveness of this work (“4”). Cossack organisations received an average assessment of the effectiveness of the researched activity (“3”). The suppressive activity of the DND (Voluntary People´s Squad) was rated "2". The actions of other public law enforcement formations (associations of veterans of law enforcement agencies, self-defense units, youth patrols, etc.), as well as public ethno-religious organisations that are not directly related to law enforcement activities, were recognised as the least effective (“1"). The study showed that 75% of experts consider it justified to use voluntary public law enforcement formations (Cossacks, DND, etc.) to suppress violent ethno-religious manifestations and, above all, the ones of the separatist nature. At the same time, 35% of experts believe that such use is correct in almost any ethno-conflict situation, and 40% are in favour of their use only in emergency circumstances, when government services cannot eliminate a sudden threat on their own. At the same time, 25% of the surveyed experts consider the use of voluntary formations unjustified, since only the state has the right to legitimate use of violence. The results of the assessment of the activities of state and public structures analysed in the article are recommended for the use in developing measures to increase the effectiveness of countering violent ethno-extremism, strengthening civil unity, and achieving interethnic and interfaith harmony in Russian society.

Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and its Journalistic Efforts

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is the second largest inter-governmental organization after the United Nations, with a membership of 57 states, covering four continents. The OIC is the collective voice of the Muslim world to ensure and safeguard their interest in economic socio and political areas. The OIC has Institutions, which implement its programs, established in 1969 with its headquarters in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The OIC aims to represent the Muslim world to protect and safeguard the vital interests of Muslims in the spirit of promoting international peace, security, and harmony as well as inter-faith dialogue among various people of the world. According to its charter, the OIC aims to preserve Islamic social and economic values; promote solidarity amongst member states; increase cooperation in social, economic, cultural, scientific, and political areas; uphold international peace and security; and advance education. The priority areas of the OIC-2025 Program of Action include issues of Peace and Security, Palestine and Al-Quds, Poverty Alleviation, Counter-terrorism, Investment and Finance, Food Security, Science and Technology, Climate Change and Sustainability, Moderation, Culture and Interfaith Harmony, Empowerment of Women in whole Islamic countries all around the world. From this research, we learned that who are the member countries of the Organization of Islamic Conference and what is their purpose? In this study, we found out which countries have made the OIC, what is the purpose of their agreement and unity, and what topics did they discuss and find solutions for the problems. The Islamic Summit includes Kings, Heads of State, and the Governments of Member States, and is the OIC's supreme authority. It convenes once every three years to deliberate, take policy decisions, guide on issues pertaining to the realization of objectives and consider other issues of concern to the Member States and the Ummah.

ВОПРОСЫ СОХРАНЕНИЯ И ПОПУЛЯРИЗАЦИИ КУЛЬТУРНОГО НАСЛЕДИЯ В ДЕЯТЕЛЬНОСТИ НАЦИОНАЛЬНО-КУЛЬТУРНОЙ АВТОНОМИИ КАЗАХОВ ТЮМЕНСКОЙ ОБЛАСТИ

The article is devoted to the issues of preserving and popularizing cultural heritage in the activities of the National Cultural Autonomy of the Kazakhs of the Tyumen Region. The history of the creation of the public organization and the main directions of its activities are considered. Particular attention is paid to the regional Kazakh holiday “Kurultai”, which has become a cultural brand of the region. The authors come to the conclusion that the Kurultai of the Kazakhs contribute to the revival, preservation and popularization of the cultural heritage of the people, and are also aimed at consolidating society, strengthening national identity, interethnic and interfaith harmony.

Interfaith Dialogue: A Qur’anic Cum Prophetic Perspective

Interfaith dialogue is a crucial technique for mitigating interreligious tensions that exist around the world. However, It is in the name of religion that we see many heinous crimes being perpetrated resulting in the deaths of many innocents despite the fact that every religion promotes universal love and compassion for other people .Today, Islam has been misunderstood due to the lacking of proper Islamic knowledge. So research is needed to mitigate ambiguity regarding Islam’s proper knowledge and Islamic perspective on interreligious dialogue. This article has been designed to go through the Qur’an and the Prophet’s ﷺ way of life in order to clarify how Islam views interfaith dialogue and also to warn of various hazards to be guarded against while in dialogue. The study demonstrates how Islam plays a unique role in encouraging interfaith dialogue by ensuring justice, equal rights, and religious freedom for all religions, cultures, and civilizations, as well as accepting all prior prophets as Prophets of Islam .The study concludes by emphasizing that Islam is a comprehensive faith that promotes peaceful interreligious coexistence. It can be used as a model for resolving interfaith conflicts and promoting interfaith harmony and peaceful coexistence in today's world of diverse faiths and traditions .This research adopted the qualitative method in the form of contextual analysis and the historical interpretation of the Qur’an and Sunnah.

Saladin’s Conquest of Jerusalem and Treatment of Minorities: A Historical Review in the Context of Interfaith Harmony

Saladin’s Conquest of Jerusalem and Treatment of Minorities: A Historical Review in the Context of Interfaith Harmony